Amazon Explorer FAQ

We offer adventure tourism in the jungle. It is ideal for people who want to have an authentic adventure experience.

The itinerary has several activities, these can be adapted to the requirements of the traveler, as long as it does not alter the activities of other travelers. If you want a trip tailored to your needs, we recommend that you ask for a private expedition, this has an additional cost.

There are itineraries that cannot be adapted, such as Extreme Expeditions, Challenges and Survival. In these itineraries, it is necessary that the traveler is in optimal physical and mental shape.

We use camps and / or typical houses of native villagers (these houses are basic). Amazon Explorer does not offer a lodge.

To experience the jungle, we enter into remote areas where there is no infrastructure or what does exist, is very basic. There is no electricity, internet or cell phone signal. In the camps, we improvise latrines and bathe in the rivers.

We can organize the expedition for you alone, but the rate is 70% more expensive than the group rate. We suggest checking our website JOIN A GROUP WITH SCHEDULED DATES so that you obtain a cheaper price.

We have experience with younger and older travelers. In case of children under 18, they must be accompanied by one of their parents or bring the permission of the parent or guardian.
In EXTREME EXPEDITIONS, CHALLENGES and SURVIVAL it is necessary that the traveler is in optimal physical and mental shape.

It depends on the itinerary you select. In trips of up to 8 days the average is 4 travelers.

For expeditions of one to six travelers, our staff consists of 4 people: A Tour Leader (organizer and responsible for the expedition), a native guide, a native cook and a native driver (who drives the boat).

The deadline for booking Expeditions to the PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE is two days before the start of the itinerary, for EXTREME EXPEDITIONS, AMAZON TRIBES and SURVIVAL TRAININGS is 30 days before the start of the itinerary; and to join a CHALLENGE or EXTREME SURVIVAL is 60 days before the start of the itinerary.

You must send an email to [email protected] indicating the itinerary, number of people, and date you wish to make the expedition. Once the availability is confirmed, you must send an advance of 50% of the total amount to guarantee the reservation by Bank Transfer, or PayPal. The amount credited to the Amazon Explorer bank account will be received. The bank or money transfer fees must be paid by the client.

In addition to the deposit of money, we require that each traveler fill out the form with personal information and sign the Release of Liability that we will send them.

Wildlife is unpredictable, sightings are not guaranteed, but by going to a protected or remote area, we maximize the chance of finding wildlife.

Our expeditions take place in primary jungle, rich in biodiversity where we have carried out a biological inventory recording different species.
Wildlife sightings depend on many factors, such as weather, level of the river, number of explorations and most importantly, luck of being in the right place at the right time.

Remember, the more explorations we make, our possibility of sightings increases.

We provide Amazonian food along with Peruvian and international dishes prepared by our native cooks. During the first three days we offer meat, fresh fish, vegetables and fruits. Afterwards, when it is difficult to maintain food that requires cold storage, we are limited in the choice of food which will last in the hot and humid conditions of the jungle.

Due to the conditions of the area and the logistical limitations for Expeditions of more than seven days, the food will generally consist of canned goods, instant soups, and fresh fish obtained during the trip. If necessary, we have military food called MRE (Meals Ready to Eat).

If you have a special diet, you need to inform us in detail, so we can adapt the food to your requirements. In EXTREME EXPEDITIONS, CHALLENGES and SURVIVAL, the diet CAN NOT be adapted to the traveler’s needs.

The Amazon presents an equatorial climate, with rainfall throughout the year, high humidity and average temperature of 29 ° C (85 ° F). There are two seasons: high-river or winter (November to May) and low-river or summer (June to October):

During high-river, the levels of the rivers are very high and usually flood the low areas. Sometimes it is very difficult to find solid ground. It is easier to enter deep zones in the jungle and most of the activities are done by boat or canoe. At the beginning of the rainy season (from November to January) there are more mosquitoes. During navigation it is more likely to observe birds and primates.

During Low-river, the rivers diminish their flow and in some occasions, they affect the accessibility to jungle zones. It is possible to take long walks, and easier to set up camps. Fishing is easier and there is a greater chance of observing alligators and other reptiles.

Due to the unpredictability of the seasons and climate, the programs and activities could be adapted to the conditions imposed by nature. Remember that on rainy days the wildlife sighting is less prevalent.

Before the Expedition

Visit a Preventive Medicine Unit or a Doctor who can administer preventive medicine based on the Amazonia Region. This should be done a month and a half to two months before starting the trip. In the case that you have a chronic illness or are allergic to stings, medications have other allergies, you should make sure to bring the corresponding medication and inform the trip organizer, in anticipation of any incident that may arise.

If you are taking a particular medication, be sure to take it in your luggage and take note of the active ingredient (generic name). Some specific medications are hard to find or may have another brand name, especially in remote locations.

In the case of malaria, you can apply prophylaxis with antimalarial drugs such as Tropicur, Lariam, Malarone or others available in your city of origin. With respect to yellow fever, it is advisable to be vaccinated at least 10 days before your arrival in the Amazon.

Recommended vaccines: Yellow fever, diphtheria-tetanus (DT), hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies.

For more information to visit Peru and the Amazon visit:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/peru

During the Expedition

Provide a small campaign kit that includes various medications: disinfectant, antidiarrheal, fungicidal ointment, antihistamines, antimalarials, some antibiotics, antiparasitics and, if necessary, a specific medication.

Avoid mosquito bites, the main vector of malaria, yellow fever and dengue. The mosquito is especially active from sunset to sunrise.

Use fresh and loose clothing that covers the entire body, preferably light colors.
Use insect repellent in the exposed areas. The most effective compounds against mosquitoes are DEET (N, N-diethylmetololuamide), permethrin and icaridin.

When sleeping, use a mosquito net and check that there are no holes. Fasten the edges of the mosquito net under the mat to make sure insects do not enter. You can spray it with repellent for added protection.

Avoid perfumes and colognes, as well as perfumed deodorants, because strong aromas attract insects.

Stay hydrated at all times, to avoid cramping, fatigue or other major problems. Remember that in the Amazon the body loses much more water by breathing and excessive sweating.

After the Expedition

After completing the trip, we recommend taking an antiparasitic.

Some tropical diseases do not manifest themselves immediately, they can be presented well after the return. In the case of discomfort, go to the doctor and inform them that you have made a trip to a tropical area in the last 12 months.

Attention: The recommendations of Amazon Explorer do not replace the opinion of a medical professional. As indicated at the beginning, always consult a doctor at least one and a half to two months before you start your trip.

Most hotels have a luggage store (left luggage) for their guests at no additional charge.

In our itineraries everything is included. On expeditions to the PACAYA SAMIRIA NATIONAL RESERVE, we suggest that you carry up to S /350 Soles (around US$ 100) in 10 and 20 Soles bills to buy some drinks, crafts or tips for the team. All of this is optional.

It will depend on your satisfaction with the service received. Tips are regularly between S/ 50 to 100 Soles (around US$ 16 to 30), but the amount depends solely on you.

Yes. Take into account that health and dental services in these towns are limited, so we do not suggest sweets. The best thing is to give fresh clothes, fishing hooks and nylon, school supplies (notebooks, pencils, crayons, etc.), medicines that do not require a prescription (analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, etc).

Each traveler should bring the following:

Equipment

• Flashlight with replacement batteries.
• Insect repellent with DEET.
• Sunblock (minimum SPF 40).
• Personal medications.
• Elements for personal hygiene.
• Protective hermetic bag for cameras or electronic equipment.
• Canteen or small bottle to load water.
• Enough batteries for your equipment.
• Photo camera and / or video camera (optional).
• Solar charger (optional).
• Binoculars (optional).
• Notebook (optional).
• Tent (optional).
• Light sleeping pad (optional).
• Light sleeping bag (optional).
• Inflatable pillow (optional).

Clothing

• Comfortable pants.
• Long sleeve shirt.
• T-shirt.
• Long stockings (just below the knee) to be used with rubber boots.
• Swimwear.
• Rubber boots (wellies) (You can buy them in Iquitos, maximum size 44 EUR or 10.5 US cost: USD 8).
• Trekking shoes.
• Sandals or flipflops for bathing.
• Towel.
• Hat or cap.
• Rain coat.

We recommend garments made with a light, fresh and quick-drying material.

Amazon Explorer offers you the following equipment:

• Mosquito nets or tents (Except in CHALLENGES and EXTREME SURVIVAL).
• Bed sheets. (Except in CHALLENGES and SURVIVAL).
• Light camping mats (Except in the EXTREME EXPEDITIONS, MATSÉS, CHALLENGES and SURVIVAL).

We recommend trekking shoes during the day hikes and rubber boots at night or during wet conditions. Rubber boots offer better protection against scrapes caused by leaves or thorns, insect bites and sometimes snake bites.
We recommend sandals or tennis shoes for water travel in canoes and boat.

Amazon Explorer provides purified water for expeditions. In the case of long-term expeditions or areas of difficult access, the water is boiled and purified.

Not for most of our itineraries, it depends on the level of difficulty.

For CHALLENGES and EXTREME SURVIVAL, it is necessary to have experience.

In all our trips we always see pink and/or gray dolphins. You can swim in the same waters, but these animals do not usually approach humans.

In the areas where we carry out our expeditions there is no electricity, so we recommend that you bring solar chargers or portable chargers to minimize the impact of disposable batteries. In case you bring disposable batteries, you must bring them back to the city of Iquitos to discard them.

Amazon Explorer has insurance for our travelers. In any case, we recommend that each participant have their own international insurance. Amazon Explorer does not assume any financial responsibility for medical or evacuation expenses that may occur, beyond what our insurance covers.